Purdue men's basketball notebook: Boilers rediscover their defense

7:49 PM,
Mar. 5, 2013

Sandi Marcius and Purdue are suddenly brimming with confidence after shocking Wisconsin on Sunday.

Written by

Jeff Washburn

Suddenly, a Purdue basketball team that was spinning its defensive wheels has rediscovered the foundation.

During the three games before their bye week (Feb. 17-24), the Boilermakers allowed 83, 79 and 78 points in losses to Indiana, Illinois and Michigan State, respectively.

But after practicing for a week without a game, not only has Purdue's offense improved, its defense has allowed only 52.3 points in games against Northwestern, Iowa and No. 22 Wisconsin. In those three games, the Badgers, Hawkeyes and Wildcats were a collective 54 of 162 from the field (33 percent), including 15 of 59 ...